| Obituary |
GORODENSKY, Helen (nee Farkas) Helen passed away in Toronto, on Sunday, September 2, 2018, in her ninety-second year, from complications of pneumonia. Born in Volke Bichkiv, Czechoslovakia, she was visiting relatives in nearby Hungary when the Nazis rounded up her parents and nine siblings. Only one of her siblings survived murder at the hands of the Nazis. Through luck and/or skill, Helen avoided the Nazis and eventually settled in Montreal. Beautiful, strong and outwardly happy, she built a new life in Canada, and did not let her past define her future. She worked as a secretary for several years, until she married the love of her life, Hyman. Together for almost sixty years, until her death, they traveled the world and lived life to the fullest. They had three children and eight grandchildren, who will greatly miss her strength, courage and wry sense of humour. Helen is survived by her husband Hyman, her children, Arlene, Marvin (Laurence) and Jeffrey (Jaime); her seven grandchildren, Jacob, Gabriella, Jonah, Ariel, Jacob, Lily, and Alexander; her nephews, Jeffrey Farkas (Andrea), Larry Farkas (Beth) and Michael Murawnik (Bina), and her niece, Peggy Murawnik. Helen now joins her parents (for whom she had been calling for as of late), her eight siblings, including her beloved brother and sister-in-law, Sidney and Sylvia Farkas, her sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Sylvia and Harold Murawnik, and her granddaughter, Natalie. The family would like to thank the staff of the ICU at the Humber River Hospital, where Helen spent the last eight months of her life. They provided her with great care and compassion throughout, for which we are eternally grateful. Funeral service from Paperman & Sons, 3888 Jean Talon St. W., Montreal, on Thursday, September 6 at 1:00 p.m. Burial at the Shevat Achim Congregation Cemetery, de la Savane, Montreal. Shiva in Toronto at 29 Avenal Drive, on Friday, September 7 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. and Sunday, September 9 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Due to the advent of Rosh Hashanah, shiva ends Sunday afternoon. Donations in Helen's memory may be made to the Humber River Hospital Foundation, (416) 747-3859. |
